ER can let business people disposing of a company pay Capital Gains Tax at 10%, as opposed to 28%. This means it can result in tremendous tax-savings for directors doing a solvent liquidation – i.e. an MVL.

However, it does mean that HMRC is missing out on some tax revenue.

ER in the press

The press has reported a few things from the leading parties:

The Tories have identified SMEs as the biggest contributor to the UK’s ‘tax gap’ – (i.e. what should have been collected by HMRC versus what actually came in). Reforming ER could be a way to address that.

The Lib Dems have mentioned refocusing ER – so that it is not a loophole for the super-rich.

Labour is reportedly less keen on reform as they have praised ER and says it rewards business owners.

What to do now?

It is anybody’s guess as to who will win the Election and what the new Government might do with regards to Entrepreneurs’ Relief.

What we can say is that we are already helping directors who want to do their MVL now – as they are worried that a new Government might change the tax savings they can get from ER when they close their company.